For nearly a year now, two members of the Metropolitan King County Council have campaigned against each other, vying to be King County executive.

For nearly a year, their colleagues on the County Council have remained silent, declining to weigh in on whom they think should lead Washington’s largest county.

But the bloc of neutrality broke Monday.

Councilmembers Rod Dembowski and Teresa Mosqueda chose Girmay Zahilay over their fellow colleague Claudia Balducci, providing a jolt to Zahilay’s campaign as he continues to rack up high-profile endorsements.

All four council members (the two endorsers and the two candidates) are progressive Democrats, although county positions are technically nonpartisan.

“I’ve worked closely with Girmay on the Council for years and I’ve seen how he leads —

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